Top 3 Rookie Of The Year Candidates: National League

The Atlanta Braves dominated the rookie class in 2022, with Michael Harris II and Spencer Strider posting incredible freshman seasons and finishing 1-2 in the voting for NL Rookie of the Year.

But there are plenty of elite prospects waiting in the wings for the 2023 season; here's a look at the top 3 NL ROY contenders:

1. Corbin Carroll, OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

As the No. 2 overall prospect in baseball, coming off an impressive 30-game trial last year, Carroll is the sure-fire bet as the early leader for the award.

He pounded minor league pitching for an OPS of over 1.000 while hitting .310 with a .426 on-base, 28 HR and 52 SB in 142 games. In his September trial run with the Diamondbacks, he posted an .830 OPS. 

At just 22, he's got tremendous bat-to-ball skills, with elite defense and speed. He can really do it all. And the trade of Daulton Varsho made it a certainty that he'll get everyday at-bats in an otherwise crowded outfield in the desert. 

2. Jordan Walker, OF, St. Louis Cardinals

Having only played as high as Double-A, there's a slight chance he doesn't break camp with the Cardinals, but it won't be long before he's raking in the big leagues. As the No. 4 overall prospect in baseball, Walker has big-time power. He has a .913 OPS in two minor league seasons, with 33 HR and 36 SBs.

3. Kodai Senga, SP, New York Mets

There may be an adjustment period at first, but once he gets his groove, the 3-time All-Star and  2-time Nippon League strikeout champ with a career 2.59 ERA will be a huge part of the Mets' rotation. And it helps that he won't have all the pressure of the Big Apple on him, being the No. 3 man in that rotation, behind future Hall of Famers Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander.

We also had a look at the Top 3 AL Top Rookie of the Year Candidates.

Photo: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports